Formula 1 gossip: Mercedes, Vettel, Raikkonen, Alonso

SUNDAY, 12 OCTOBER

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is refusing to back down under pressure from F1 rivals to ease the current "freeze" on engine development. "Formula 1 needs stability," he said. "It would be very easy to just block everything from our position of strength, but we have a different approach." (Motorsport.com)

Current champion Sebastian Vettel struggled to explain why his Red Bull failed to make the top 10 on the grid for Sunday's Russian Grand Prix in Sochi. (Gulf Daily News)

Mercedes sealed the constructors' title in Sochi

Plans for a new 'virtual safety car' to impose speed limits and improve safety conditions following Jules Bianchi's horrific accident will be tested at the next race in Austin, Texas. (Sunday Telegraph)

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen says he would welcome Vettel as a replacement for Fernando Alonso next season. (Motorsport.com)

After Lewis Hamilton's win in Sochi, Mercedes tweeted: "From Sochi to Stuttgart, Brackley to Brixworth and everywhere in between, here's to the people who made it possible." (Mercedes)